Anorexia
Nervosa - Signs Symptoms Causes And Treatment

Has exaggerated fear of gaining extra pounds made you starve in spite of
your hunger? Has the preoccupied desire of losing weight and being thin taken
over your eating habits?

Are you incongruity with the distorted perception that you are looking
fat when you are actually not? To your shock, you are suffering from a
psychiatric illness called Anorexia nervosa. Do pitch in with me to understand
what it is.

Anorexia
-sounds strange?

It is just a medical term used for serious physical and emotional illness
in which an illogical fear of being fat and obese leads to restriction of
amount of food intake resulting in dangerous weight loss. Now, I think you
understand that it is a common problem faced by most of us.

Why
do you think you should be bothered about it now?

According to a study estimate, Anorexia is said to occur in 0.9% to 4.3%
of women and 0.2% to 0.3% of men in Western countries and 0.4% of young females
are affected by this. Over a ten year period, about 5% of people die due to
complications of anorexia. So, you can be one in it. Beware!

Why
is it caused?

The causes are too complex to understand and definite causes are not
determined yet. It comprises biological, psychological and sociological
factors.

Few
of the common factors include:

· Over exposure of media to
thinness culture which reinforce people looking thin as ideal stereotypes

· Pressure from peers and
society to look thin

· Feelings of low self-esteem,
loneliness and complex

· Irregular changes in hormones
controlling the body and mind

· Genetics may also be a reason

The cause may differ for each individual depending upon the surrounding
and lifestyle.

(Interesting fact: There are types in anorexia-restricting type and
purging type. In restricting type, restricting calories is done for weight loss
and in the purging type vomiting and diuretics aid in weight loss.)

By
what way is it of concern?

Anorexia should not be taken as a mental illness; it really has serious
physical implications. Pinch in with me to know its complications!

How
does it affect your body?

The following
happens:

· Weakening of bones and tooth
decay

· A heightened risk of
infection due to a decrease in immunity owing to the reduction in white blood
cell count.

· Tooth decay

· Malnutrition due to the
decreased intake of nutrients

· Fear of gaining weight leads
to anxiety disorder and depression

· State of
inhibition(restraining or controlling his/her behavior and expression)

· Lanugos development(developing
excess hair on face and body)

· Amenorrhea(abnormality in menstruation
cycle often characterized as losing periods for a period of three months)

· Excess hair fall

· Increased sensation of
feeling cold in extremities

· Dry skin and dry mouth

What
is the treatment?

The biggest challenge lies in recognizing that you are having this
problem and you are enervated by it. Often medical help is sought out to
overcome this illness. The participation of kith and kin in this process
increase the pace of the recovery process .So stay upbeat and has one track
mind in overcoming this problem.

Now, the treatment is given in three areas-medically, nutritionally and
emotionally

Medical
Treatment:

The highest priority is in addressing serious health issues such as
malnutrition and unstable heartbeat. Depending on the level of distress and the
depth of ill effects, hospitalization may be suggested where treatment is given
until a critical weight is restored.

Nutritional
Treatment:

Nutritional counseling from nutritionist or dietician is the second
component. Suggestions on balanced eating and proper nutrition will be given.
Meal plans will be charged to boost up calories and maintaining an ideal
weight.

Emotional
Treatment:

Counseling and encouragement are crucial to treating anorexia.
Identifying the seeded negative thoughts and dealing accordingly with emotional
fears, relationship problems, anxiety and depression goal is the best way to
treat this.

Cool your jets and keep your chin up! Why fears and tears? You are
always the prince and princess for your loved ones .Height, weight, age all
just numbers. Why worry about those silly numbers? Lose your fear and live your
life your way!